Tenerife Ex-Police Chief Faces Trial for Theft of Public Funds
Two former police officers in Tenerife will stand trial next week, accused of stealing over €82,000 in public funds through illegal fine collection, with prosecutors seeking prison sentences and repayment.
Next week, the former police chief of Buenavista del Norte and another officer from the same police force will face trial at the Provincial Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. They were arrested last year and accused of stealing public money by illegally collecting fines. The Civil Guard investigated the case. A jury will decide their fate.
Prosecutors are asking for a two-year prison sentence for both officers. They also want them banned from working in any state security force or holding any job that involves managing public funds for four years. In addition, prosecutors want them to jointly repay 82,777 euros, which is the total amount they allegedly took from the town's funds.
According to legal sources, the officers' defense team may have reached an agreement with the prosecution for a plea bargain.
Prosecutors accuse them of taking 82,777 euros from fines paid by people, mainly tourists, for traffic violations. The former police chief allegedly pocketed 53,817 euros of the 70,000 euros he collected in fines. The other officer is accused of taking 28,960 euros from 46,000 euros in fines collected. Both will have to return these amounts to the Buenavista del Norte City Council.
The investigation, called "Operation Martyr," was conducted by the Judicial Police Unit of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Command. After reviewing documents and items seized from the two officers, investigators arrested a third officer, who was also allegedly involved. At the time of his arrest, this officer was working in another town in Tenerife.